Relationship between a bank and its customers is based on mutual trust. We care about our customers’ trust; we, therefore, periodically publicly announce our financial results and other performance reports. Accordingly, we ask our customers to provide certain information about them as well.
Provision of information is important for several reasons. First, banks must comply with very strict legal requirements which oblige them to implement the ”Know Your Customer (KYC)” principle. Implementation of this principle is related to application of international measures aimed at prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing. Banks must ensure that their infrastructure is not abused by malicious entities or by persons who pose threat to others.
Another important reason is that banks care about their customers’ security and the security of their accounts. With up-to-date details available, we can ensure safety of accounts more easily, prevent illegal actions by fraudsters, stop suspicious transactions and thereby protect our customers from financial losses.
Yes, local and international legislation imposes an obligation on banks in other countries to apply the “Know Your Customer” principle.
All of the data you provide us is protected by strict security and confidentiality rules.
We disclose customer data to third persons only if we have received the customer’s written consent or if the disclosure of data is required of us pursuant to law (e.g. a notary, the police, the State Revenue Service and Customs Board).
Information is not collected with the purpose to immediately forward it to other institutions. Information you provide is stored responsibly. In certain cases, when this is necessary, authorised institutions (law enforcement, security provision, etc.) are entitled to address banks and request the provision of information about a customer. In such case, the bank, in accordance with laws, will be obliged to provide such information.
- Banks have a duty to guarantee secrecy of customer’s identity, accounts, deposits and transactions
- Information regarding a customer and their transactions acquired by the bank through provision of financial services under the relevant contract is non-disclosable information
- The bank may disclose such information only to customers themselves or to their representatives except in cases laid down in the Law on Credit Institutions – to government authorities and other persons, as set forth by this law
If the bank is not provided with the necessary information, in certain cases, the bank will no longer be able to provide its services to such a customer. This may mean restrictions in using one’s account, card, online banking. Money in your account will not disappear, however, you will have access to banking services only after you provide the required information.
Banks are required to identify politically exposed persons whose role in society calls for heightened attention. Family members and close associates of a person with public authority are also considered to be politically exposed persons. More about politically exposed persons
The CRS (Common Reporting Standard) and FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) require us to ask from all of our clients about their tax residency and share information with the
Tax and Customs Board if our client is a foreign tax resident. This is primarily designed to prevent tax evasion. Information exchange concerns natural persons and legal entities alike.
- Applicable to financial institutions all over the world.
- We must identify US tax residents.
- The Tax and Customs Board shares the information with the Internal Revenue Service of the US.
More about FATCA:
FATCA rules
Website of the Ministry of Finance
Website of the Internal Revenue Service of the US
- Applicable mainly to the Member States of the EU and OECD.
- We must identify tax residents from the respective countries.
- The Tax and Customs Board shares the information with the Tax Board of the respective country.
More about CRS:
Website of the Ministry of Finance
Website of the OECD
Estonian, English or Russian.
The respective legislation can be found below:
Due to the requirements set by legislation, the bank must keep customer data up to date. It is also more convenient for the customer if their data has been updated and they do not have to deal with it themselves.
Having the correct customer data helps us provide a better service to our customers.
If the name change is registered in Estonia, the bank will generally change your name based on the data in the
Population Register. If you haven’t received a notification that your name has automatically changed, please let
us know about your name change by writing us a bank message or
booking an appointment and visiting one of our branches.
Nothing will change for you regarding the use of your account(s) and services.
We recommend replacing your card in case your name on the card and booking details (hotel, rental car) don´t
match. If your card details have changed, please update it in bookings and subscriptions as well.
We also recommend that you notify the persons and authorities, who make transfers to you, of your new name/name
form. Transfers to your old name can be made within 6 months. After 6 months, transfers can only be made to a
new name.
If the name change is not registered in Estonia, please provide the necessary documents proving the name change.
You can do so by booking a time beforehand and visiting one of our branches.
You can copy foreign letters and symbols here.